Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  Great car - 2009 Audi A3
  By Jeff - January 25 - 5:44 pm

  Bought 09 A3 quattro s-line with DSG. Options not chosen are sport package and audio package. Too much money for 6-disc and sport sport package includes things I do not want to pay for. Great car, but 6-disk should come standard for $40K. Quattro is seamless. Performance is very good but so far gas mileage is not what I expected - but only have 5500K so far. Hope it gets better with time. Quality of materials is good but fear that paint is not up to Canadian winters (or summers). Already have chips and scratches. No USB connections.

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  Fun and Style - 2009 Audi A3
  By Rudy - January 23 - 10:14 pm

  Purchase my A3 six manual with convenience pkg, cold weather, sky, Sport pkg, titanium pkg. I think is worth every dollar spent. Fast, solid and very comfortable to drive. Got 2000 miles and I love it so far, is fast, great in snow, cornering, steering and brakes, sound Bose system is superb, is the best car I ever bought. Who needs memory seats? How many times you use them? Is built right !

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  Happiness is - 2006 Audi A6
  By Sosoomi - January 23 - 12:07 am

  I wanted a Quattro in the worst way but when this vehicle came to market, only 16K miles and loads of options I could not say no! Tons of interior space, truly well finished inside and out. Performance is good. The engine sounds great and I love the tranny. Unbelievably smooth and the sport mode is fun! The gas mileage is awesome. I just finished a 800 mile round trip and averaged 31.3 MPG. I set the cruise at 85 MPH and got this result. I dont get it.. at 75 the result is lower, go figure! The MMI is easily learned and the sound system, Bose, is fantastic!

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  Awesome car! - 2004 Audi A4
  By BCguy - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my 99 for an 04. The interior is even classier than the original, the seats are more comfortable. This car is a pleasure to drive in any weather. Test drove the 3- series, c-class, TSX and G35 and none even compared to my previous A4. The 3- series handles very similarly, but lacks 4-wheel drive and costs too much money when considering features and interior quality. Audi dealers seem to be fancying up their facilities and services to compete with other luxury makes, and my dealer was great with servicing my previous A4. I would definately recommend this car to anyone.

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  great car - 2004 Audi A4
  By Jerry J. - January 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my first car! I have driven others but this car beats them all. Quattro AWD system holds the road great. Drives better in the snow that my friends SUV. Theres always a sense of control. Car has just enough pep. Tiptronic keeps you involed. Would reccomend this car to everyone!

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  I love my 1997 Audi A4 - 1997 Audi A4
  By Joy - January 19 - 6:41 pm

  I purchased my Audi in 1996 and drove it every day until I retired in 2002. Its great. Its been 100% reliable. Its a 5 speed stick shift red sedan. I use to put lots of miles on it commuting to work and visiting family 4 hours away. Now my life style has changed and my car is still thrilling to drive. It sits for days when I dont drive it and it still drives like a charm when I use it. Id buy this car again and again and again.

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  Love this car! - 2009 Audi A4
  By RipLip - January 19 - 5:34 pm

  Love this car. Its fun to drive and has character. It may not be the fastest in its class, but it is fast enough. The interior design is excellent and the interior space is much more roomier than the older A4s. Personally, I think the exterior design is nicer than the 3 series and C class.

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  My best buy - 2002 Audi A4
  By MegaWhizz - January 19 - 10:00 am

  Love this car. No complaints. Handles lke a dream, worth every cent. Would not trade this car for anything. BUY IT!

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  Too Rich for my blood - 2017 Audi A4
  By David Weisberg - January 18 - 1:52 pm

  Great car. Wish I could afford it.

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  Really good choice! - 2006 Audi A4
  By Brendan Livingston - January 18 - 1:22 am

  I bought the car scared of having huge maintenance costs, however. it has cost me less than my Honda Odyssey. All i needed to do were a oil change, tires, and a cracked windshield. Find one well maintained and youll be set. Drives like a dream.